Zuzanna Goluch-Koniuszy1, Joanna Sadowska1, Aldona Wierzbicka2

An assessment of the influence of B group vitamins on the C-reactive protein concentration and chosen indicators of protein metabolism in male rats

Abstract

Introduction. The objective of this project was to examine on an animal model the influence of the diet composition and its supplementation with B group vitamins on the concentration of chosen protein indicators, including C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammation marker.

Material and methods. The research was done on 36 male, around 5-months-old Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 3 dietary groups: group I has received the basic food mix, which included, among others, whole grain wheat and maize; group II and III received a modified food mix, in which a part of whole corn wheat from the basic feed was replaced with wheat flour, and 50% of whole corn maize was replaced with saccharose. The animals from groups I and II were given clean, settled water from the water supply system, and group III was given water solution of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and PP.

Results. It has been established that both the change of diet, as well as it supplementation with B group vitamins are conductive to a reduced consumption of feed, and as a result, a reduced consumption of proteins by the animals from these groups. In the muscles and livers of the animals fed modified unsupplemented feed a smaller amount of protein was found in comparison to the animals fed the basic feed. In the blood serum of the animals from this group a significant concentration of albumins and a significant rise in the concentration of creatinine was found in relation to the concentration observed in the animals fed the basic feed and the ones fed the modified supplemented feed. The concentration of CRP in the group of animals fed the modified unsupplemented feed was significantly higher than in the other two groups of animals. In the blood serum of the animals who received the supplement the concentrations of glucose, staple protein and its fractions: albumins, α2-globulins, β-globulins and γ-globulins, were significantly higher than in the group fed the basic feed. The concentration of CRP was significantly reduced in relation to the group of animals fed the modified unsupplemented feed.

Conclusions. The analysis of the results allows to conclude that the diet where the whole grain was isocalorically replaced by flour and saccharose was conclusive to a reduced consumption of feed and protein, which could have an impact on the smaller amount of protein in the muscles of the examined animals. The higher concentration of glucose, staple protein and its fractions: albumins, α2-globulins, β-globulins and γ-globulins, observed in the blood of the examined rats as a result of the change in diet and intensified by B group vitamins supplementation, can be evidence of an ungoing inflammation, which was confirmed in the animals fed modified unsupplemented feed by the rise in CRP concentration. The fall in the CRP concentration in the blood serum of the rats fed the modified supplemented feed can prove that the repair process has already started.